My Sister Stole My Husband, My Son, and My Medal Chapter 07

My Sister Stole My Husband, My Son, and My Medal Chapter 07

The door opened. A server rolled in an enormous celebration cake, three tiers of white frosting and gold leaf.

Senior officials and colleagues followed, smiling as they took their seats. The room filled with laughter and

the clink of champagne glasses.

Then Conrad and Blythe entered with Bram. Stellan followed, carrying Elara.

The entire family had come together.

A smug smile spread across Cressida’s face.

She had known they wouldn’t miss this. They never missed anything that mattered to her.

Once again, she had won.

The room erupted in applause as Chief Dane approached the podium.

He lifted the medal from its velvet case–gold, engraved, gleaming under the chandeliers.

Cressida stepped forward, already picturing the medal on her chest.

She had waited three years for this moment. Three years of hiding, of pretending, of playing house with a man who had once loved another woman. But it was worth it. All of it was worth it.

Now the world would finally see who the real hero was.

Chief Dane lifted the medal and prepared to pin it to Cressida’s chest.

The clasp clicked open.

And then Stellan rose from his seat.

“I need to report Cressida Calder.”

The room went still.

“Three years ago, she didn’t fake her death to infiltrate a criminal organization or collect evidence.”

“She did it because she was pregnant with my child and wanted to avoid the scandal. She has spent the past three years living comfortably in secret.”

“Romilly risked her life to uncover that evidence. Cressida stole her case and took credit for everything she

did.”

A murmur rippled through the room. Officials exchanged glances. Someone set down their champagne

They were all staring at the screen.

glass.

Blythe rose from her seat. Her hands were trembling, but her voice was steady.

“I can testify to that.”

She snatched the medal from Chief Dane’s hand before anyone could stop her.

“Cressida has spent the past three years living in a mansion in Foxmere Ridge. She had a housekeeper waiting on her at home and a driver taking her everywhere. She never infiltrated any criminal organization.

She didn’t so much as break a nail.”

“My younger daughter, Romilly, found all that evidence. After she was removed from Major Crimes, she went after the organization alone. Without a badge. Without a gun. Without backup.”

“She nearly died more times than I knew…”

Blythe broke down before she could finish.

Only now did Blythe understand what that case had cost Romilly.

She’d never asked what Romilly paid for that evidence.

She’d only demanded the credit go to Cressida.

Sorry meant nothing now.

Stellan pulled a flash drive from his pocket. His hands shook as he plugged it into the computer on the

podium.

The screen came to life. Everyone turned to watch.

Cressida’s smile had frozen on her face.

“Chief Dane, don’t listen to them. They’re only lying because Romilly is dead. They want everyone to

remember her as some kind of hero.”

“That case was submitted under my name. That medal is mine.”

She reached for the medal in Blythe’s hand. But Blythe pulled it away, her tear–streaked face hardening into

stone.

Cressida looked around the room.

No one was smiling anymore. No one was clapping. No one was even looking at her.